Plain Dealer editor George Rodrigue (himself a gun control advocate) offered a letter to readers earlier today, saying in part:

We are advocates of free speech, and we are aware that we need to treat every member of our community fairly and equally. Therefore, we frequently publish news stories, columns, and advertisements that one could view as being opposed to our policies or our personal points of view. To prevent our personal feelings from inappropriately affecting our judgment, we try to set fair policies, and to live within their boundaries.

For advertisers, our policy is to allow legitimate advertisements for goods that can be sold legally. Firearms are legal for sale in Ohio, and the advertiser who purchased it is a legitimate local dealer.